File Photo: US Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy.
Indian-origin US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has been presented with the Pride of the Community Award by a prominent Hindu advocacy group.
Receiving the award by the Hindu American Foundation at its 12th Annual Day reception at Capitol Hill, Mr Murthy said that he draws inspiration from the life of Swami Vivekananda.
The reception was attended by two Senators and 10 members of the US House of Representatives.
"It's a proud moment to see the continued progress that the Hindu American Foundation has made over a short period of time, and the great poise that this organisation and its constituents have," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the only Hindu serving in the Congress.
HAF also awarded Anantanand Rambachan, Professor of Religion at St Olaf College, Dharma Seva award; Harpreet Singh Mokha of the Department of Justice, the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Pluralism; and Senator Mark Kirk and Rep Joe Crowley, HAF's Friend of the Community awards.